EPF Annual General Meeting and HTA Seminar

EPF is pleased to announce the success of this year's AGM and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) seminar which gathered more than 80 members and observers from patient groups around Europe.

EPF’s AGM took place in Brussels on May 19 in conjunction with EPF’s HTA seminar on May 18. Stepping in for Health Commissioner Dalli was a high level representatives from DG Sanco who delivered a personal message to EPF members and observers. Governance issues at the AGM were discussed and work was reviewed on policy developments and updates in the areas of eHealth, Clinical Trials and HTA. Three new board members were elected and a total of seven new members officially joined EPF at the AGM.  The HTA seminar was well received bringing together the perspectives of HTA agencies, clinicians and industry.  The workshop conclusions, led by Panos Kavanos from the London School of Economics outlined the key issues of involving patients in HTA and discussed recommendations on how to move forward in providing the patient's voice. 

Health Technology Assessment

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) has become a priority area at EU level, primarily as part of a strategy to ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems, and to enhance EU cooperation and good practice in this area of HTA.

Overall Objective

The objective of this seminar was to bring together patient leaders across different parts of Europe to learn more about the science, methodologies, processes and policies behind HTA, and how they can get involved in a constructive, meaningful way as patient representatives.

Expected Outcomes

• Greater policy awareness and activism
• Seminar policy toolkit
• Enhanced recognition on the part of policy makers at various levels
• Tangible follow up of the Pharmaceutical Forum process
• Meeting point for debate on the HTA dimension of the Cross Border Healthcare    
  Directive

Links to the presentations and reports of the AGM and HTA Seminar are located in the right hand column.